Creeper!Steve makes an appearance.
Bianca was sure she was about to die from a heart attack. She couldn't believe what Marissa was saying; she had to be imagining it.
"So," she started, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. It didn't work. "What exactly….are you saying?" she asked. Marissa scoffed, shaking her head.
"You know what I'm saying, I can see it in your eyes." She said. Her face softened. "Those…big beautiful eyes of yours." She added. She finally dropped Bianca's hand and brought it up to cup Bianca's other cheek. "Do you feel it?" she asked again.
Marissa felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest. She needed to know, she needed confirmation of what she thought she was seeing. Over the past few days she'd caught Bianca's eye. Seen the way Bianca had looked at her, longingly and as if she wanted Marissa. If that were the case Marissa would gladly give herself to Bianca in every way. She wanted to be her lover, her partner, everything to her. Bianca's eyes closed for a split second then reopened.
"Yes." She said softly. She smiled a little, shaking her head. "I feel all of those things for you." She admitted. Marissa smiled so bright she was sure her face would split.
"I can't… you don't know how happy it makes me to hear those that." She said, her voice holding genuine joy. Bianca nodded, biting her lip; she understood all too well. "I can't believe you… feel my heart." Marissa said happily. She brought Bianca's hand up to her chest and rested it there, chuckling a little when Bianca's eyes widened. Her heart was past the point of racing; it was running a marathon.
"Wow," Bianca responded, her voice amazed. Marissa couldn't wipe her smile off; she was on cloud nine. Bianca removed her hand gently and looked at Marissa again. "Marissa, I…care for you…but..." she started. Marissa felt her heart stop.
Steven turned over again, not being able to sleep. He wanted Bianca there with him. Wanted to feel her skin against his as they shared a pillow. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her close; protecting her from the world. He smiled at the visual but Marissa swam into his day dream and he growled low in his throat. He had to do something about her. He sat up quickly, grabbing a pair of jeans and pulling them on over his boxers. He was glad that Aiden was at his grandmother's tonight.
"But…what?" Bianca couldn't ignore the fear in Marissa's voice. She sighed sadly, pulling herself away from the shorter woman completely.
"But….we can't do anything about it." she said quietly.
"Why not?" Marissa asked, her voice rising a little. She cringed, looking over her shoulder then back at Bianca who nodded toward the stairs; they could talk in the dining room. The entire walk there, Bianca felt more like she was no her way to the gallows than going to talk with her best friend. When they reached their destination, she sat down on the table, across from where Marissa was standing.
"Because, Marissa, too many things can go wrong." She said after a few moments. Marissa looked a little lost.
"Like what?" she asked softly. Bianca's mind flashed with images.
"We could lose our friendship, the kids could lose theirs if we end up hating each other." She said. "That would just be the beginning." She added.
"Yes, those are possibilities," Marissa agreed. She sat down. "If we break up." she added. "But… things could go so well if we do this and it goes right. The way I know it will."
"You can't be sure of that." Bianca insisted.
"But you can be sure that we'll fail?" Marissa retorted. "Sweetheart, we're going to fight. Every couple does," she started.
"But we're not a couple. Not even close to being a couple." Bianca cut in quickly.
Marissa hid her hurt at the statement but pushed on.
"But we know each other and we-we love each other," she said, her voice shaking. Bianca's eyes snapped up to hers in surprise, "I don't think it would be a good idea to ignore this." She said finally. Bianca swallowed.
"But it'd be a good idea to go into this and ruin everything we've built?" she asked, her voice raw with held back emotion. Marissa stood and moved to crouch beside Bianca. She tugged on her legs until Bianca faced her.
"It would be a good idea to make ourselves happy." She said, a small smile lifting at her lips. "You make me happy and I could make you happy, what more do we need?"
"It's not that simple." Bianca argued.
"It is exactly that simple." Marissa said, her voice strong. "Our children love each other already, they're siblings whether we acknowledge that or not." She said. She took Bianca's hand gently once more. "I know you're afraid, afraid to love me but Bianca, I'll do everything I can to keep you from hurting if you do the same for me." She said, her face earnest.
Steven walked down the street, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets as he turned onto yet another street. He wasn't having a good night, so he decided a little fresh air was in order. As he walked up the street calmly, he stopped and turned to look up at the modest house before him. His eyes scanned it, searching for any sign of life. He caught a face in the upstairs window and waved. Miranda waved back slowly before disappearing once more.
"Marissa, I'd do anything to make sure you don't get hurt. That's why I'm doing this." Bianca argued. "Marissa, have you ever even been with a woman?" she asked, running her hand through her hair. Marissa looked insulted.
"Does it matter?" she asked.
"Yes, yes it does!" Bianca said with wide eyes.
"Why? Does my lack of experience with women invalidate what I feel?" she asked standing up. Her voice had begun to rise.
"No! I just can't be someone else's little experiment!" Bianca snapped, rising to her feet. "I get that peop-"
"Experiment?" Marissa cut her off. "Is that what you think this is?" she asked her voice somewhat shrill. "Bianca I love you. I am in love with you and I want to be with you. I'm not sure how else to say it to make you understand that you are not an experiment. I'm insulted that you would even think that!" she said, genuinely hurt. Bianca deflated and dropped her head with a sigh.
"No… I'm sorry." She said. "I shouldn't have said that." She added softly. Marissa huffed, crossing her arms.
Steven stood, listening closely near the front door. He could hear the two of them fighting and he could admit openly that it filled him with glee. Now that she's insulted, maybe she'll understand and back off. Bianca obviously doesn't want her; she wants me. He thought, walking down the stairs to the front porch and whistling to himself.
"Are you guys fighting?" Miranda asked from the doorway. Both women's eyes snapped over to her, wide with guilt at being caught. Marissa reacted first.
"No, baby. We're just disagreeing on something." She said moving to Miranda. Miranda eyed her suspiciously.
"Mommy and Mama fought a lot before Mama moved out. Same thing with Reese." She said softly. Bianca looked away in shame while Marissa's heart squeezed.
"Well I'm sorry about your Mama and Reese fighting with your mommy," she said slowly. She knelt in front of h Miranda. "But I can promise you things won't end the same way. I love your mommy too much to let one little fight mess up our friendship." She said with a wink. Miranda looked at her mommy then at Marissa and nodded, seeming to understand.
"Good, you're my favorite friend of Mommy's." she said turning to scurry back up to her room. Marissa remained in her spot for a moment longer before turning to face Bianca.
"That's what scares you, isn't it?" she asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Bianca said, moving to the kitchen.
"You're afraid we'll end like Maggie or Reese." Marissa thought aloud.
"Aren't you afraid we'll end up bitter like you and JR did?" Bianca asked her. Marissa shook her head, moving to stand beside Bianca so that she could see her face.
"No," she admitted. "You're not JR and I'm not them. We're all so different and our relationships would be different too. There's no guarantee it'll end."
"Just like there's no guarantee it'll last." Bianca fired back. They were silent for long minutes before Bianca spoke again. "I'm sorry for leading you on, but this just wouldn't work. Good night." She said turning and running away. Both literally and emotionally. Marissa stood there before smiling. Enjoy your small victory while you can, Montgomery. I'm not letting you slip away. She thought before going to the guest room.